Autumn mornings and lovely parcels

Good evening

What a gorgeous day - it started with a proper autumn morning - misty but with sunshine. As I cycled down the lane this morning I wished I'd brought my sunglasses the low sun was shining into my eyes. Everywhere looked pretty and as I was actually a few minutes early for work, I hopped off my bike to take a few photos;

The tree in the last photos I've nicknamed Squirrel tree - when the weather is warmer there are always squirrels there - I think there's a drey high up in the branches. You can spot the older ones - they leap from tree to tree with no fear. The youngsters are more cautious and I'm amazed in the 10 years we've lived here that one hasn't landed on my head or in the bike basket!

A busy morning at work - Christmas stuff was flying off the shelves as fast as we could find it, price it and put it out! Still looking for items for the CS swap I'm taking part in - something will appear soon - either in our shop or one of the others. I've high hopes the little church shop will have the perfect thing soon. The only downside is my swap partner has very similar tastes to me - I might find something I can't bear to part with!!

When I got home from work there were parcels on the doorstep for me :) A new toy for the kitchen that I shall be testing tomorrow - a slow cooker - I've wanted one of these for ages and we finally decided that we would get plenty of use out of one.

There was also a parcel from a company for a product review - I need to do that tomorrow as there's more time after school and I need those boys of mine to help.

Lastly 2 pretty parcels for me. One a giveaway win from a maker on Facebook - Fairy Shack makes lots of cute things and I was lucky enough to win this Toadstool house in a recent giveaway;

Also in the parcel was this little fairy kiss - so sweet;

The other parcel was a little present from me for me - a purchase from the rather talented Fi @ Chipper Nelly - I've loved her blocks for a long time and decided that I needed one of her Christmas ones - the little gingerbread houses are just so cute;

Is anyone else watching the new Kirsty series on C4? I'm not sure so far about it - was hoping it might be less twee? The 60's styling last time wasn't me sort of thing - I'm hoping the 50's stuff tonight will be more colourful.

Thank you for your good wishes on the last post - I am feeling better but I'm awaiting an appointment to have an ultersound scan - it would seem my gall-bladder isn't happy and might need removing!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Men in Uniform

Good evening

Why think of a snappy title when 'Men in Uniform' is bound to attract some extras via Google search ;) Amazing what brings people to this little blog sometimes!!

Anyhow - these men - 653 Squadron Army Air Corps - given the Freedom of the town of Aldeburgh on Saturday - lots of pomp and ceremony and helicopters - after all these guys (and girls) are responsible for the Apache helicopters and have seen rather alot of active service in the past few years. They've a good association with the town and this honour was well deserved;

 A parade through the town accompanied by the band of Parachute Regiment

 Playing on the seafront alongside the historic Moot Hall

 The Squadron mascot - an American Bald Eagle - he so wanted to be able to chase those pesky seagulls away - you could hear them taunting him - if only he could have escaped and taught them a lesson!!

 A flypast by 3 Apache helicopters 

 Our little band was asked to play at the nearby sports fields - whilst the soldiers and great & good enjoyed a drink or two and lots of free food.

One of the Apache landed and the crew spent ages talking to everyone about this wonderful piece of equipment. This is it just as it was preparing to take off - its just not possible to get pictures as it starts to hover - the force is amazing.

At any one time somewhere in blogland there is a giveaway - I've entered plenty and been lucky enough to win a few. Now two have appeared in my feed today and I'd been thrilled to win either of them - such lovely pressies on off - almost so nice I don't want to share the links with you but of course I couldn't do that.

The first one over a Kazzy's Country Rabbit blog;

and the other is over here at my fellow caravan fan Lavender Attic's blog;

Once I've added these to my sidebar, I shall be going over to visit both and put my name on the lists - fingers crossed hey ;)

It was a good day here today in the VV house - big son sat his final GCSE exam - all over now till the results at the end of August and then hopefully he can sign up for the courses he wants to do in the 6th form. I know others have Y11 aged children - I hope their exams have gone well and it almost all over for you too.

The next point of focus for him is the Prom next week - he's all kitted out and trust me, he scrubs up rather well - I promise to take lots of photos ;)

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Lula, Marcus and Giveaway winner :)

Good evening

Hope those with children are enjoying the half-term hols. The boys have been busy with friends/revision/screen stuff - the only signs sometimes they are here are the occasional bleep and of course the fast emptying fridge & cake tins!!

We had a visitor this afternoon - my baby sisters puppy - a cocker spaniel / poodle cross, a cockerpoo - she's called Lula and is about 12 weeks old now - utterly adorable;

She was completely smitten with Little Son and him with her. They happily raced about outside till Lula was just shattered - she came in and promptly dozed off on my feet!!

The other night MrVV & I had a night out together - we went to see Mumford & Sons in concert and they were fantastic - a brilliant night out :)

 As well as playing loads from their last album and their forthcoming album - they also played completely unplugged as it was such small theatre - just 750 seats. This was a real treat for us fans and for the group themselves;

Rightly - lastly the important bit - the winner of my 400 posts/followers giveaway (after having their name pulled from the bowl) is;

Fee @ Chipper Nelly

Fee - I will email you in a while :)

Thank you to everyone who took part xxx

Right - its Thursday night - time for a good wander around blogland - I've not had much chance for that this week - its been rather busy!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The 400th Post with added Giveaway!!

Hello again

I knew it wouldn't be long before the temptation to write post 400 came along - actually its a choice between that and a mountain of ironing - as ever blogging won!!

Yep post 400 - I am amazed and pleased with myself for sticking to this blogging lark - I never dreamt I'd still be doing it for this long - now 2 3/4 years! Perhaps I didn't realise how many things I'd find to waffle about or events that would happen in my little life - both happy, sad & painful!

Anyhow - the giveaway - I've gone for things that represent me - some made & some bought - some yet to be bought - chocolate wouldn't stand a chance in this house - it will be added just before the parcel is sent off!!

There is crocheted bunting, a raggydoll, a felted purse, a UJ notebook, a little CK soap and pretty rosy beaded necklace.

All you need to do is add your comment to the bottom of this post and I'll pop your name into the hat.

Closing date - next Tuesday 5th June.

xxx Vicki xxx

Weekend views & Monthly Makes (May)

Good evening

Phew what a scorcher ;) Another lovely hot & sunny day here in Suffolk.

The weekend was gorgeous - this was my view for lots of it;

Blue skies through the leaves & bunting

I found a string of bunting in with our camping stuff - it has been used many times to identify my tent at festivals - it was just long enough to tie between a tree & the swing.

My corner - pink deckchair, table, drink, lunch and a magazine - happy days

We did get out and about - as well as a car boot sale (dire - lots of overpriced clothes and tat :( ), MrVV & I headed to Aldeburgh for a walk - we parked at the top of the town and here's the view over the houses to the beach;

What you can't see are the 100's of day trippers - we opted for a quieter walk along the seawall between the sea & the river.

Right - its that time again - Monthly Makes photos - it was just going to be this;

A crochet T for our WI banner, a flowery frock (front & back) and my finished granny square blanket.

However on Saturday I came over all patriotic and decided I needed a new dress for the Jubilee weekend! I popped into my friends shop and left with some fabric in the most gorgeous 50's style print. I added in a strip of polka dot fabric I had already - and here it is - red,white,blue with a hint of 50's too;

Oh and on the back I added a couple of buttons I'd bought months ago;

I might as well add my Monthly Mosaic picture to this post too;

Now this is post 399 - I've taken some pictures this afternoon for something special to celebrate post 400 - and also to celebrate reaching 400 followers too :) I missed my 2 year blogversary in September, I was too plastered to celebrate!! So watch out later this week - Vintage Vicki's 400 posts/followers giveaway will be happening :)

See you soon - here's hoping there's another sunny day tomorrow, I getting rather used to them.

xxx Vicki xxx

Cake & thrifting

Good afternoon

Brrrrr - after almost springlike weather for a few days its started to turn chilly here in Suffolk. I cycled into town this morning and rather wished I'd worn my hat - apart from a cold head, my sightly damp hair got blown about and I came home looking rather too yeti like! I'm also sporting a rather eclectic selection of clothes - skirt, tights, 2 t-shirts, woolly waistcoat and I've just added a cardi too - back to warm & woolly again.However I am so loving being able to get out and about its going to have to get pretty cold before I stop my now daily cycles. So far my ankle is holding up well - in fact it seems more mobile and less swollen :)

The birthday cake I was baking in the last post turned out rather well;

The topping is a chocolate ganache made with 2 bars of MrVV's favourite Dairy Milk chocolate. As its rather rich it should last quite a few days - probably till its time for another cake next Tuesday when Little Son turns 14 - he's not so little now - he's as tall as me and those bones are still rumbling so am sure it won't be long till our different in height is very noticeable.

I also mentioned in my last post a lovely CS find - here it is - a 50's frosted hyacinth bulb vase;

Its cleaned up rather well and I'm in two minds whether to keep it or too sell it on.

One of my plans for 2012 is to be more thrifty and I've been spring cleaning cupboards to make sure that things in there are either being used or if they aren't then they need to sold on. I found at the back of one cupboard the base and coffee grinder from a long departed blender. I nearly put them in the car boot box when I had a brainwave. I like to keep a stock of breadcrumbs in the freezer and normally have to grate the crusts which is fiddly - I wondered if the grinder might work and be able to produce crumbs? Hurrah it did so its now allowed to stay and it means that all crusts can be crumbed much quicker;

Last night was finally our S&B group Secret Santa swap - its been hard getting the group together as real life often gets in the way. Well finally last night all those that wanted to take part were there. Parcels were secretly put into a bag and then when they were all in - the pile of pressies was put out into the middle of the table. Everyone took turns to choose a parcel - I wish I'd taken photos there were some wonderful makes.

Here's the contents of the parcel I received;

This embroidered heart hanging (I've shown you both sides) was made by one of the ladies who runs the group - I'd only been admiring earlier in the evening something similar she was making so I was thrilled with this. The fabric are all iridescent and I think this needs to hang somewhere where it can catch the light and the breeze - I have a place in mind - just need a hook putting in place.

Lastly the postie has just been - thank you Annie - The Felt Fairy. I won some bag handles in a recent giveaway - its part of the encouragement for the Monthly Makers. Am also loving the Boy George postcard that was in there - I so loved him when I was younger. I've got some fabric that will make the perfect bag - just need to find a template for what I have in mind.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx 

Getting comfy

Good afternoon :)

Thanks for all the comments on my CK problem. I've contacted them via facebook and now email and am waiting a reply from them.

This is my view for most of today;

Aren't those stockings fetching!! The reason, a day stay in hospital yesterday after a minor 'female' tweak. Today I've been told to take it easy and the stockings can come off tonight - hurrah.

Its given me a chance to catch up with Great Expectations that I recorded over Christmas - 2 down, final part to go. I've also been adding another strip to my eventual 100 square blanket - now at 70 squares;

I've also caught up with the end sewing in on my Giant Granny blanket - now 36 rounds big;

I'll keep going with this one for as long as the yarn lasts - the one I'm using has been discontinued - I think I'll be able to get another 10 rounds added before I run out though.

There's someone I've been meaning to introduce you all too - his name is Jack and he arrived here with the VV family just before Christmas;

 Isn't he a total hunk - all furry faced with a fat tummy - a bit like MrVV ;)

He was my win from a giveaway that Jackie @ Sew Special Bears had last year (sorry no link blogger is being a right PINTA today). Thank you again Jackie - he's gorgeous and he's still mine - little son hasn't even attempted to pinch him - I think after all these years I've mastered that 'don't even think about it' look!!

Right time to go back to the sofa - armed this time with a mug of tea and some painkillers!!

xxx Vicki xxx

Foodie makes and pretty parcels :)

Good morning

How was your weekend? I hope you weren't affected by the fog too much? We were lucky here - what fog we might have had overnight disappeared quite quickly leaving both Saturday and Sunday bright, sunny and a tiny bit chilly.

Now where did I leave things? Oh yes baking time. There was plenty of left over fruit from the Christmas cake, so Friday morning I spent more time in the kitchen baking and making;

Currant buns with cherries on top for my boys for after school

Then using a recipe I found on a blog last week - just can't remember whose! I made some fruit chutney - I tweaked the recipe to use what I'd got and trust me it smells & tastes delicious;

Some for us and some for pressies for family & friends :)

Saturday was CCM-day - Christmas Cake Making day. I started early as I knew from past experience the baking time is nowhere  near the 3 hours the recipe claims - I think it was almost 4 1/2 by the time it was done - perhaps I was being cautious this year - even remembering to wrap the tin in brown paper;

It made the house smell very festive and most importantly it made it out of the tin in one piece!

Its now wrapped up and shut away only being allowed out for a dosing with brandy each week. There's just the matter of the battle with marzipan and icing to come - oh and I need to find some suitable decorations for the top - I'd like subtle but knowing me it will end up being OTT!

The rest of the weekend passed in a blur of parties - one for a S&B group friends 70th on Saturday night. It was a lovely evening and I think a total surprise to her. Just wish I could have got up and danced to the rock-n-roll singer that was providing the entertainment for the evening.

Yesterday afternoon saw my sisters and other assorted relatives assemble at my Grandma's house to help her celebrate her 86th birthday. Lots of loud mad games involving cushions were played and lots of food was eaten and a good time had by all :)

That would normally be enough for a blog post but there was a thud on the doormat a little while ago. A parcel for me from Ali @ Magic Beans. I'd won her little giveaway the other week. Here's what was in my parcel;

 Sweeties and something lovely hidden in that envelope;

 This gorgeous necklace made by Ali :) Its so pretty and fits perfectly.

If you'd like to see more her work then she's a fab website too - www.mulberrydog.co.uk

Right I must dash - I've a Christmas Charity Shop parcel to wrap - hoping I can get a lift into town tomorrow to post it AND I can collect the parcel I missed the postman try to deliver this morning at the same time!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Molliemakes winner and a tah-dah moment!

Good evening

I know you want to know who's name was first out of the hat for my spare copy of this lovely mag - but I'll make you read to the end of the post ;)

 

How was your weekend?? Ours was good. No brass engagements - just some exam practise for little son - he is almost there and the exam is 2 weeks away.  We managed lots of family time which was rather lovely. Yesterday the weather was pretty pants so no outside jobs could really be done. Big son asked MrVV nicely if we could head into Ipswich for a little while - he wanted to get a new game controller and also a pressie for a mates birthday later this week.  It would have been a shame to waste the opportunity for a little light shopping - little son needed a few bits (he is currently having a growth spurt) and I needed new pjs for a forthcoming camping trip.

This morning the sun was shining from about 4am and by 6am I was awake and ready to get up! It didn't help that the pollen count has been extremely high here this weekend and almost as soon as I awoke the sneezing started :( Least it gave me a couple of hours of peace before all the menfolk awoke.

I didn't waste the time I spent it finishing sewing up my crochet cushion and also taking some pics;

 The front - obviously

 Backed with this gorgeous vintage style fabric - I got this in a blog swap ages ago and wanted to save it for something special - just wish I could remember who sent it.

I've got 2 new projects on the go now - one I can't show you yet and one I can. The obvious thing for a new crocheter to make after a cushion is a blanket. After a rummage through my yarn stash I think I've settled on these colours. However one square isn't big enough - I think another 99 are needed - that should keep me busy over the summer.

Right the menfolk are settled in front of Messrs Clarkson, May & Hammond and I am happy with Glastonbury highlights online and a glass of red. Glastonbury is certainly putting me in the festival mood - in only 3 weeks time I get my annual festival fix at Latitude - can't wait.

I suppose I ought to put you all out of your misery. Sadly there can only be one winner - and that lucky lady is;

Fee - if you could let me have your address, I can get this posted out to you asap. Sorry to those who didn't win - but I can assure you its worth taking out a subscription to this mag if you can - its like lots of blogs but in paper form. I actually cancelled two long term mag subscriptions so I could have one for this.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

A nation of shopkeepers & a little giveaway

Good afternoon

Just a little post for today - I had wanted to show you some crochet progress but I'm not quite there so shall save that till next time.

However there are two pieces of good news from the VV household today;

1) My little folksy shop is up and running - first 3 items added yesterday with more to follow, once I've taken more photos and written some descriptions ;

I've gone with using this picture as my shop logo and have also ordered some little cards from the lovely people at Moo - thanks Kandi for the code :)

Here's the shop link - http://www.folksy.com/shops/VintageVickiMakes

2) I've subscribed like so many people to the lovely Molliemakes magazine - due a mix up in their mailing department I've received a 2nd copy in the post today. So I thought I'd offer it as a little giveaway to another blogger who maybe hasn't been able to find it or who would just like to see what all the fuss is about. Leave a comment on this post and I'll draw names on Sunday night (I know I'll have a quiet hour - Top Gear is back!!).

Right back to housework - least if I'm hoovering I can't hear the thunder - I really don't like it :(

See you Sunday

xxx Vicki xxx

One busy weekend.......

Good evening

How has your bank holiday weekend been? Good I hope.

We managed to get the right person to the right place at the right time - quite an achievement - think I've earnt another Pimms later ;)

The weekend started rather well - with a thud, thud, thud, thud on the doormat Friday morning when it seemed that the postie was emptying his entire sack into our letterbox. Not one but 4 lovely parcels - all for me :) My friend was running late so it gave me a chance to open them and photograph all the lovely contents;

Firstly a parcel from the lovely Felt Fairy Annie - I was one of the lucky winners of her recent giveaway. She'd matched all the winners with pressies she thought suitable. She's a regular reader and had noticed my comments in my sidebar about my habit of avoiding housework - hopefully my list pad might just help me see what needs doing and I shall take satisfaction in ticking the chores off the list. My toes will be a fetching shade of purple when I next paint them and my little lavender mouse & wax melt shall hopefully help lift the smell of teenage male which sometimes wafts through the house!!

Now it seemed I was the only blogger who'd yet to find a copy of this new magazine - I'd tried shops in town and they'd not even heard of it. A lovely friend in another part of the country took pity on me and found me a copy. Well  it was so worth the wait - this is such a lovely magazine - really full of things to read/make/drool over. I've taken a subscription out - it starts from Issue 3 - so there's just a matter of locating Issue 2 when it comes out next week!!

The final two thuds were ebay buys. I use pretty vintage playing cards to make labels for my makes. I've started to run low and managed to find two pretty sets for reasonable prices;

Friday evening saw us dispatch Big Son to a huge Explorer camp in deepest Essex - my favourite part of these camps is a quick game of Explorer Buckaroo - amazing how much more he can carry these days with falling over. When he first started going camping when he was 8 - it was as much as he could do to life his rucksack!

Saturday meant another brass engagement for MrVV & Little Son - leading a parade to mark the 70th birthday of the Air Cadet movement;

Whilst they were marching through the town in Woodbridge - I nipped into the charity shops - I found something I've been after for ages - for a bargain price too - more on that another time.

After a very late night on Saturday (1am - we'd been to see Ken Dodd - a 5 hour show!), I was up early to get sorted for the Vintage Soul fair in Southwold. We managed easily to fill the stall between the two of us;

We had a reasonably good day - when we added up the sales at the end of the day the split was almost 50/50 which was rather good. Thanks to those who came and said Hello :) I really must work this week on getting some things into my Folksy shop - its been on my to-do list for rather a long whilst!!

Today has been a much quieter - little son has earnt a rest after another day of banding yesterday and MrVV has been rather busy putting together a programme for a huge brass concert his band are doing this summer. This meant I've had plenty of time to do some sewing for me :) I've managed to alter another skirt;

And mostly importantly, I've almost finished making a dress for a big family party next weekend - I just need to put the finishing touches to that and then I can show you

Big son is back from his weekend away - he's had a great time.  He's been rafting/canoeing/ice-skating and so much more. Last night it was rather warm so they slept under the stars.

I'd best say goodbye now - thanks for reading :) Off now to sort my photos for the Scavenger Hunt - I think I've got them all but just need to check. Oh and I must get my Button Swap parcel wrapped too.

See you tomorrow

xxx Vicki xxx